AN initiative that will see paramedics take heart attack patients directly to specialist treatment centres could help to save over 100 lives a year in Central and Eastern Cheshire.

North West Ambulance Service has worked with hospitals and primary care trusts on plans that see paramedics taking appropriate cases to specialist heart centres to undergo a procedure known as Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PPCI) - sometimes referred to as primary angioplasty.

The procedure uses a balloon to open up blocked arteries in patients suffering the most severe forms of heart attack, rather than clot-busting drugs known as thrombolysis, offering a better recovery rate and less chance of need for future surgery.

Heart centres for patients in the Central and Eastern Cheshire area are based at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester Royal Infirmary and the Royal Infirmary Hospital in Stoke.

Previously paramedics would take heart attack victims to the nearest A&E but if they meet criteria, they’ll now go straight to heart centres for specialist care.

Director of Emergency Service at NWAS, Derek Cartwright said: “Taking certain heart attack patients direct to specialist centres saves vital time and means patients get the best treatment and care.

“Paramedics go to over 100 patients a year in this area who will be eligible for this service.

“As North West England is associated with one of the highest death rates from coronary heart disease, we are extremely pleased to offer this service to patients. It will save lives.”

Extra training has been given to paramedics to enable them to decide which patients to take to specialist centres for the procedure.